Troy Almond Hut owners ready for Winter Blast (with video)

Almond vendor Cindy Piepszak of Troy was watching a TV newscast from the Motown Winter Blast years ago when she noticed something strange.

“I couldn’t see our booth behind the reporter,” said Piepszak, who runs The Almond Hut business with husband, John.

Under the weight of unexpected snow, the booth’s roof had caved in.

Another year the Piepszaks — vendors at the Detroit winter festival that starts today — remember how ice coated everything during the Winter Blast.

The wintery weather is part of the February festival, officials said.

“People were out there, partying to beat the band,” said John Piepszak.

The couple will brave the elements again this year and be selling their cinnamon-and-sugar coated almonds at the Winter Blast starting at 11 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Their trailer will be located in the heart of downtown Detroit, at Monroe and Woodward, close to Greektown action. This is one of a dozen festivals where you’ll find the Piepszaks selling their wares.

They enjoy the Winter Blast, the couple said.“It’s a chance for people to get out of the house,” said John.“People got through the holidays and then kind of hunkered down for the cold. This is an opportunity to get out amongst the people again.”

The snowiest Blast they recall was in 2005 when they estimated 15 inches came down.

“We went down there and we were shoveling out,” said Cindy, “and here comes this guy in a real nice coat and he said, ‘Let me help you.’ It was (business and racing executive) Roger Penske.”

The Piepszaks, in business since 1988, will be selling bags of their almonds, which are coated with cinnamon, sugar, vanilla and water.

“No salt, no oil,” said Cindy proudly.

Watch for daughters Becky, 11, and Krysten, 13, to be helping out behind the counter.

Business downtown should be booming with Detroit Red Wings fans elevating attendance. The Wings are playing at home both Saturday and Sunday night.

“I don’t think that’s ever happened two nights in a row,” said John, referring to games back to back during the festival.

Activities for all tastes Live bands will be playing on five stages starting at 11:30 a.m. each day of the festival. Expect to find plenty of vendors selling food.

For the first time, the Detroit Red Wings will have a pair of interactive hockey games, including top shot, where fans can win prizes.

People can warm up in the Comfort Zones located every 150 feet.

Also new this year is the Girl Scouts of Southeastern Michigan’s Cookie Van along with tours of the new University of Phoenix downtown location. Among the new restaurants are Santorini Estriatorio and Gaucho Brazilian SteakHouse.

On Saturday night, people 21 and older can extend the evening by taking part in the Bar Blast, a pub crawl with a continuous shuttle between 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. Sunday.

“If you’d never been, you should come down,” said Cindy Piepszak.

“There is the carnival, snow slide, snowshoeing, and lots of local acts. It’s a lot of fun.”

FYIThe ninth annual Motown Winter Blast festival is held in downtown Detroit’s Campus Martius. The event features 54 local bands, 14 restaurants, activities centered around snow and ice, and three new events, including a hockey shot competition. Hours are 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. Visit www.winterblast.com or call 313-963-8418.

Contact The Almond Hut at P.O. Box 1781, Troy MI 48099 or email the company at info.almondhut@yahoo.com or call 248-879-3957.

Contact Carol Hopkins at 248-745-4645 or carol.hopkins@oakpress.com. Follow her on Twitter @OPCarolHopkins.